Sapphire crystal Scratch Removal

I bought a beater Deep Blue watch from thegoat about 3 or 4 months ago and by beater I mean really beaten, I don't think he will mind me saying that as I knew what I was getting and it was to be beaten some more. I valet car's so wanted something used that I wouldn't mind getting bumped and scraped.

Fast forward to today and I had ordered some diamond paste as a tester because the crystal was dull with plenty of mark's and scratches, I didn't really expect it to work but seriously it's amazing stuff.

I did use a small battery operated rotary tool to do it with. So here is some before and after pictures.

The before doesn't really show how bad it was but you can see the circular scratch that stood out the most.

The stuff I used is called Scratch Genie and no I don't have any affiliation with it, I just think it's amazing and wanted to share with anyone who wants to remove a scratch from their sapphire crystal. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ce30614761.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1bd8c99a30.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3f2b0cfbd0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...23424e959e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ba74f4354a.jpg

Sent from a technical device.

I had no idea that could be done on sapphire. Mineral, yes, but that looks good as new.

What tool and head did you use?

I just used a small felt buffer but not the one that came with it., the one I used was 25mm as the one that came with it is about 8mm.
I just thought I didn't want to get to close to the watch.

Sent from a technical device.

That's seriously impressive, I've never had any success on mineral glass.
I'll be looking that stuff up, thanks for sharing

Yes please keep us all in the loop, I was always under the impression that scratches on Sapphire were impossible to remove.

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Originally Posted by Onelasttime

I had no idea that could be done on sapphire.

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I had no idea sapphire could be scratched like that in the first place, tbh.

That's really impressive, how long did it take and how did you manage the heat?

Amazing results. As others have said, I was also of the understanding that sapphire couldn’t be polished.

Tried it myself years ago with some diamond paste filled syringes, but they seemed to do nothing.

Where did you buy it? I can only find a US website. eBay?

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Originally Posted by Kitsan

That's really impressive, how long did it take and how did you manage the heat?

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It took about 20 minutes in total, doing a bit then moving round the crystal. Wiping it then looking under a loupe to see where any blemishes we're and doing some more.
I didn't really press that hard and if I did the rotary stopped anyway with to much pressure.

Sent from a technical device.

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Originally Posted by Scepticalist

Where did you buy it? I can only find a US website. eBay?

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eBay, there we're quite a few sellers.

I should mention that any AR coating will obviously be removed, just a thought I forgot to mention.

Sent from a technical device.

We learn a new thing every day. Thanks OP.

Might have to give this a go. I have quite a decent scratch on my Omega PO crystal, AR coating went years ago so that's not an issue. Guessing any sort of Dremel type tool will do with the right head.
https://i.postimg.cc/fWmGYn68/Screen...37-Gallery.jpg

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Originally Posted by sickie

It took about 20 minutes in total, doing a bit then moving round the crystal. Wiping it then looking under a loupe to see where any blemishes we're and doing some more.
I didn't really press that hard and if I did the rotary stopped anyway with to much pressure.

Sent from a technical device.

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That sounds like an excellent technique, from what I've read, the heat generated by some pastes can cause a problem on Sapphire.

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Originally Posted by Kitsan

That sounds like an excellent technique, from what I've read, the heat generated by some pastes can cause a problem on Sapphire.

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Yep, very-localised heat buildup can crack sapphire crystals - it's something to watch for even when removing damaged AR coatings if you're using a rotary tool. Case of don't press too hard, or for too long on one small area, and don't have rotary tools on too fast.

I had a stock of diamond paste but unfortunately it got lost in the house move. Having said that I didn`t find it too successful, used with a soft pad and Dremel it would slowly take the sharp edge off a scratch in sapphire but no chance of completely removing anything other than the faintest hairline. Heat build-up is a risk, don't press on too hard and try to polish the whole of the crystal to keep the heat evenly spread.

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Originally Posted by walkerwek1958

I had a stock of diamond paste but unfortunately it got lost in the house move. Having said that I didn`t find it too successful, used with a soft pad and Dremel it would slowly take the sharp edge off a scratch in sapphire but no chance of completely removing anything other than the faintest hairline. Heat build-up is a risk, don't press on too hard and try to polish the whole of the crystal to keep the heat evenly spread.

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Do you remember what micron it was, I think it's recommended to work your way up if it was a nasty scratch?

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Originally Posted by earlofsodbury

Yep, very-localised heat buildup can crack sapphire crystals - it's something to watch for even when removing damaged AR coatings if you're using a rotary tool. Case of don't press too hard, or for too long on one small area, and don't have rotary tools on too fast.

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I (luckily) haven't had the opportunity to do it yet, but I'm sure I'll catch one of my watches sooner or later!

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Originally Posted by Kitsan

I (luckily) haven't had the opportunity to do it yet, but I'm sure I'll catch one of my watches sooner or later!

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You need to be pretty unlucky, the only relatively commonplace material that's harder than sapphire is diamond - which is why it can both cause and remove scratches to it.

Best not bareknuckle fight with the Mrs :encouragement:

That is a fantastic job on sapphire OP.

I would have said it was impossible if I hadn't seen the pics!

Can it be done wet to deal with heat (maybe with bezel masked to prevent paste getting everywhere)?

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

Can it be done wet to deal with heat (maybe with bezel masked to prevent paste getting everywhere)?

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Well the lucky thing was the bezel, it is also sapphire but I was careful not to go over the lip of the crystal. I did go over the bezel once tho.

As for the paste, it's oil based so it's already wet. It is pre mixed and not the ones where you have to mix 2 pastes together.
I only put a small bit at a time so no need to put loads on at once.

Sent from a technical device.

I have also removed a scratch from a sapphire crystal using diamond paste and a dremel.

Just remember to not leave the dremel in the same place for too long and let the crystal cool down a bit occasionally. Also polish the rest of the crystal just not to the same degree as the bit with the scratch.


You can see the mark just above and to the left of the 6 o'clock dial. It was small but it was annoying me as my eye was drawn to it all the time.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...58bee9a_4k.jpg










https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3e3e2b9_4k.jpg




After polishing.



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...073eba8_4k.jpg




Mitch

Very impressed by all the results shown on here. [emoji106]

Never had a sapphire with a mark (other than AR coating) but I could be inspired by this thread to have a go if it ever transpired. Thanks.

Sent from my Redmi Note 9S using TZ-UK mobile app

I had similar results on Seiko Hardlex before. A bit of diamond paste and the scratch went completely.

Where it definitely doesn't work is toughened glass table tops and coffee tables. I tried diamond paste and a drill attachment and despite working away for ages, it made no difference!

Hats off to you great results
I remembered I have a part tube of this so thought I’d try my Arnie
Been doing it on and off for a couple of days manually- phew
It’s working but very slowly
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...07a78fc8_k.jpgUntitled by biglewie, on Flickr